Carnivorous herbs, often climbing. Leaves simple, alternate; margin entire; stipules caducous, producing tendrils, which are prolongations of the leaf midrib. The end of the tendril develops into a pitcher to attract, trap and digest insects. Flowers in racemes or panicles, unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants), regular, 4(3--6)-merous, tepals free or basally connate. Stamens 4-many, into a whorl of anthers at the top of a column. Ovary 4-locular, superior, style 1, short or lacking, with 1 discoid stigma. Fruit capsular. Seeds with small embryo and fleshy endosperm, with hair-like projections.
General info
Distribution One genus with c. 80 species, throughout South East Asia and Madagascar and Seychelles, usually on poor soils. Ecology Often in swamps or very poor sandy soils, usually on open places with lots of light. Nutrients are provided by insect trapping and digesting. Uses Sometimes as an ornamental.
Family description
Carnivorous herbs, often climbing.Leaves simple, alternate; margin entire; stipules caducous, producing tendrils, which are prolongations of the leaf midrib. The end of the tendril develops into a pitcher to attract, trap and digest insects.
Flowers in racemes or panicles, unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants), regular, 4(3--6)-merous, tepals free or basally connate. Stamens 4-many, into a whorl of anthers at the top of a column. Ovary 4-locular, superior, style 1, short or lacking, with 1 discoid stigma.
Fruit capsular. Seeds with small embryo and fleshy endosperm, with hair-like projections.
General info
Distribution One genus with c. 80 species, throughout South East Asia and Madagascar and Seychelles, usually on poor soils.Ecology Often in swamps or very poor sandy soils, usually on open places with lots of light. Nutrients are provided by insect trapping and digesting.
Uses Sometimes as an ornamental.
Treated genera